CITES query please Solved

[Mark07]

I'm currently on holiday in Portugal and there are lots of lovely Agaves and Mesembs along the beach.
Reading the list of CITES species I'm a bit confused.
Am I allowed to collect a few cuttings to bring back home to the UK or is this strictly forbidden? I think the answer is no but just wanted to check as it's quite confusing what you can and can't bring back.

Thanks in advance.
Mark.

[Apicra]

For CITES purposes, the EU is all one country and CITES does not apply to transport within one country. However, there are other laws you may break i.e. stealing property, or bringing nasty pests and diseases into the UK.

Are holiday souvenirs worth it, when you can buy c&s so cheaply here?

This assumes you will return to the UK before BREXIT!

Best regards,
Derek Tribble

[Mark07]

Thank you Derek. Good points! And yes you're right I shall leave well alone and enjoy them in their natural habitat.

Regards,
Mark.

[MikeT]

enjoy them in their natural habitat.

Technically, Agaves and Mesembs are not in their natural habitat in Portugal

[Mark07]

enjoy them in their natural habitat.

Technically, Agaves and Mesembs are not in their natural habitat in Portugal

Yes true, I meant to say I'll just admire them in the wild.

[Paul in Essex]

The commonest feral agave in Portugal is A. americana and feral mesemb is Carpobrotus edulis, both of which are destroying the habitat by out-competing native plants - so you'd probably be doing the Portuguese govt a favour.

[Terry S.]

Agaves and mesembs aren't covered by CITES anyway. The main succulent groups are aloes, euphorbias, cacti, pachypodiums and anacampseros. So buy in your plants of these from Europe before 29th March.

[jfabiao]

The commonest feral agave in Portugal is A. americana and feral mesemb is Carpobrotus edulis, both of which are destroying the habitat by out-competing native plants - so you'd probably be doing the Portuguese govt a favour.

Indeed!